Staff writer
Marion County Commission approved a significant pay increase for a county department head Friday and bids for supplies.
EMS director Steven Smith received a $761 per month pay increase for completing a year of service. His monthly salary jumped from $2,742 to $3,503.
The additional cost increase was approved by the county’s job classification committee to bring the position within the 88 percent median salary range, said county clerk Carol Maggard.
Commissioner Randy Dallke asked why there was such a jump in salary and if the salary comparison was with similar departments of volunteer workers. Maggard said the salary comparison was done with EMS departments like Marion County.
Baker Brothers of Hillsboro was the low bidder for 100 cases of 20-pound bond paper at $30.63 per case for a total of $3,063. Other bids were Navrat Office Supply of Emporia, $35.50, $3,550; and Dick’s Business Machines of Emporia, $33.20, $3,320.
Markley Service of Marion had the low chemical bid for the county noxious weed department. The commission approved the bid of $4,587 for Crossbow, Tordon 22k, Milestone, and Pathway. Ag Service of Hillsboro also provided a bid of $4,782 for the same specifications.
Other personnel-related actions included the promotion of EMS employee Jamie Shirley to office manager and a salary increase of $1,811 to $1,951 per month.
Michael Calhoun was hired as a part-time corrections officer at the county jail at $8 per hour.
In other business:
- The commission adopted the county strategic plan as presented and a contract with Tom Brown of Savant Services, Inc., for $6,500 for the next three-year term.
- Sales tax revenue continues to increase with $50,691 collected in June, making it the third highest June in the past seven years.
- Jerry Kline of Marion was appointed as a county representative on the North Central-Flint Hills Area on Aging Agency board.
- Commission chairman Bob Hein was appointed as a voting delegate for KWORC (Kansas Workers Risk Cooperative for Counties) during the Kansas Association of Counties convention. Vice chairman Dan Holub was appointed as an alternate.
- County clerk Carol Maggard reported that the 2000 Chevrolet Blazer, used by the county health department, was in need of repair, totaling approximately $2,000. The mileage on the vehicle was not known and the commission asked Maggard to obtain that information and present at the next meeting.
- Dallke thanked the road and bridge department for doing a good job on repairs to Nighthawk Road. The work should be completed before fall. He also complimented the department for its work on a bridge north of 150th Road.
- Cardie Oil Company of Tampa was the low bidder of a total of 6,550 gallons of diesel fuel for a total of $22,879. Cooperative Grain & Supply also provided a bid of $23,096, for the same amount of fuel.
- County appraiser Cindy Magill asked for and received a 10-minute executive session for personnel. The commission then extended the session for an additional five minutes. When the meeting reconvened, there were no decisions.
- Acting public works director John Summerville requested and received a 10-minute executive session for personnel. There were no decisions when the meeting reconvened.
- The next regular commission meeting is at 9 a.m. Monday at the courthouse.